Following their solid start to the second half of the season last week Chiswick Ladies’ 2s were looking for another win at home to Staines Ladies’ 2s this weekend. Coach Nick Richards made some changes to the normal structure to allow for a strong defensive line-up and quick breaks up front (or as Danni Petticrew interpreted it- 1 defender and 4 forwards?!) Chiswick started well and their speed outmatched the skill and experience of Staines for the first 10 minutes. The tables soon turned though with Staines getting their first goal 15 minutes in after causing confusion in the Chiswick defence with their quick passing in the D. Chiswick tried to fight back but Staines managed to get a second goal before the half time whistle.

After Staines scored their 3rd goal in the second half it looked like it could be the worst defeat yet for the Chiswick Ladies’ 2s, however, the team dug deep and changed their tactics to allow for a more attacking play. Laura Patterson used her speed to get several strong breaks down the wings and Kate Murray showed great persistence in winning the ball off Staines players in midfield. A Chiswick goal eventually came after the initial strike from a short corner was saved by the Staines’s goalie and Lindsay Forbes put the second rebound away between the goalie’s legs. A second goal nearly followed with an impressive play from the forwards that took the goalie out but was stopped on the line with a rather impressive reverse stick from Staines defender. In the last 10 minutes of the game Staines had a few strong attacks but Tara Feeney soon put an end to those with her skillful defending and composure on the ball resulting in the final score being 3-1 to Staines.

MOM went to Laura Patterson for her great attacking plays and speed in the midfield and Danni Petticrew earned herself DOD for a variety of reasons….. but mainly for thinking we were playing with 1 defender!

Whilst it was a disappointing result, the ladies are up for coming out stronger in next week’s match and being the first team to take points off top of the league Southgate 2s.